NORFOLK — Norview High School isn't really known for its football strength. In fact, the Pilot boys program was a mid-major team in the East at its best over the past few years.
However, things took a dramatic turn this year.
Norview, led by 23-year-old head coach Atherton Kuhlman, defeated Lake Taylor 6-1 on Wednesday night, boasting a 10-0 record and a solid spot at No. 7 in the 757Teamz Boys Soccer Top 15. is maintained.
This is Kuhlman's first year as head coach, and he has them in the driver's seat for an East Division title, a title Norview has never won in program history. .
“For me, I don't consider (this season) a complete turnaround. We've been working with the same group of guys. We have six seniors this year. I've spent countless hours with them. We've been working together for three or four years. They'll say, we never stop practicing. In the past, we've had a lot of injuries and things that didn't work out. We had eligibility issues.This year, things are almost in order.”
Kuhlman is in his first year as a head coach, but despite his young age, he doesn't lack for coaching experience.
Started helping at a junior high school at the age of 16. By the time he was in his junior year at Norview High School, he had already been named the head coach of his boys soccer team at Azalea Gardens Middle School.
After graduating from Norview in 2019, Kuhlman began his academic career at Old Dominion University, while also serving as an assistant coach for Norview's men's team from his freshman to junior years.
Former head coach William Garrett left the program in January, making Kuhlman his natural successor. Kuhlman had no doubts about whether he would take the job if offered. He credited the support systems at Nor View and ODU with helping him balance his senior year and being the head coach at Nor View.
Kuhlman officially graduated from ODU on Saturday with a degree in physical education teacher.
“I think I was ready for this,” Kuhlman said. “I think I could have done it my freshman year of college. I've been preparing for this for as long as I can remember. Coaching, I'm going to pursue it in every way possible. This season, I think I could do this.” I hope it shows that I have prepared for it.”
Norview players said they saw Kuhlman's potential as a head coach over the years and didn't have a crazy reaction when he was selected for the role. That's just because they expected it.
“He's not just a coach, he's like a friend,” senior Simon Bustillos said. “I respect him and others. He's helped us grow and is probably one of the best coaches I've ever played with. … He's guided us over the last four years. He helped me and I finally saw the results. I wouldn't ask for any other coach.”
Bastillos and fellow senior Keith DeLoach said there was no secret sauce to Norview's sudden start to success this year. Rather, the team's “shift in energy” ultimately cleared things up for the pilot.
“I feel like everyone we have right now is in just the right place,” DeRoche said. “Like we already had all the pieces we needed over the past few years, it was just a matter of placement and which players were going to be in which keys. I mean, before me or (Bustillos) played here, Since then, we've always been a very diverse team. So there hasn't been a huge cultural change.”
Norview earned its second win of the season by defeating rival Morey. The 1-0 victory was the first victory over the Commodores in 25 years and showed the Pilots that this year could be special.
“I'd like to think that made people think, 'Oh, crap, we're serious,' like, maybe we can actually do something with this,” Kuhlman said. said. “… They bought in and it was like when we kind of got some momentum in our building. That’s when the players were like, ‘Oh, wait, let’s go practice. It's when there's a slight change like, “Let's stay a little later.'' And since then, things have snowballed. ”
Defensively, Norview has conceded at least 20 goals over the past three seasons. The Pilots have conceded just four goals this year, with keeper Joe Fernandes keeping seven clean sheets. Offensively, Norview has scored 42 goals this season, averaging 4.2 goals per game. The Pilots were led by Jason Reyes, who scored 10 goals.
Kuhlman and Bustillos attributed the success to improved ball control and possession on offense, which they say makes life easier for the Pilots on both sides of the ball. Meanwhile, Desroches believes the level of talent on the team is the reason for the increased production.
“Player by player, there's no other team better than us,” DeRoches said. “I can say with confidence that with me and Jason, I don't think any other team has a better striker than us, and I don't think any other team has a better midfielder than we do. That's the way it is.''
Norview still has four games remaining on its schedule, three of which will be against opponents ranked in this week's 757Teamz Top 15. The Pilots will play No. 9 Woodside on Thursday, before playing No. 11 Granby and No. 12 Gloucester on the back. Next week is a round trip day.
If Granby doesn't lose in district by then, the chance to win Norview's first district championship will come next week against Granby.
“These upcoming games. Woodside is a great team, Granby is a great, great team, and Bayside is a sneaky good team. Smart, courageous, with the ball and without the ball. You have to be confident, and really protect yourself. Believe that you can do it, and half the work is done.”
Bustillos said he feels Norview soccer has been “world-class” this season, but there is still work to be done if he and his teammates want to at least win a district championship. He said he knew it was there.
“I think our team put in a lot of effort,” DeRoche said. “Day in and day out, the blood, sweat and tears and that district title will cement all the work we've done building on all of Norview's other past teams. But there is no better team than us in my eyes. So we are ready to take home district, region, state and all, to solidify our name.”
Michael Sauls, (757) 803-5774, michael.sauls@virginiamedia.com
